Pat & Oscar’s Switching to New Name and Concept

A group of former franchisees of locally based Pat & Oscar’s have rebranded the restaurant chain as O’s American Kitchen.

Nine existing Pat & Oscar’s in San Diego and Orange counties are in the process of being switched to the new concept, including one that is being reopened, according to a May 22 statement.

The original Pat & Oscar’s opened in 1991 and grew over the years to 19 locations. The Carlsbad-based company that previously ran the chain filed for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy last year and closed three corporate-owned locations, although several franchised locations remained open.

The new San Diego-based operators have hired an executive chef to help with a revamp of the menu, which will include items such as pastas, pizzas and breadsticks featured in the original format. But the format will be “a more evolved version” of a fast-casual restaurant, including items with ethnic influences, the statement said.

Locations will be getting updated interiors and logos. The first rebranded location, at Carmel Mountain Ranch, is scheduled to start transitioning in late May, with others to follow in coming weeks.

Pat & Oscar’s was started in 1991 by Pat and Oscar Sarkisian, who opened their first location at Carmel Mountain. The company was sold in 2009.